Cougars defeat Sioux Falls team for first time

April 03, 2007

By American News Sports Staff SIOUX FALLS - Doing the little things right produced big results for the Aberdeen Cougars girls' hockey team Sunday. Aberdeen overcame a three-goal deficit and snapped a two-year winning streak in the league for Sioux Falls, handing the Flyers a 4-3 setback. Angelina Gould scored the tying goal in regulation and furnished the game-winner in overtime as well. "Going into the weekend, Rick (assistant coach Gehring) and I were hoping to get two wins, but would be satisfied with getting one," said Aberdeen coach Steve Salwei. "We knew the girls could do it. We just needed to do the little things right. This was a very big confidence boost for the girls." The victory provided a landmark in the girls' hockey program for Aberdeen, as it was the first time the Cougars had beaten Sioux Falls. The hosts didn't make it easy, as Aberdeen found itself in a 3-0 hole at the 12:23 mark of the second period. "They were up 3-0 at one point and we whittled back," said Salwei. "Late in the third period, they got a penalty and the face off was in their zone. We pulled our goalie, the girls executed and we tied the game." Sioux Falls committed yet another penalty in overtime, giving Aberdeen another power play and setting the stage for Gould's second goal. The Cougars got stronger as the game wore on, and showed what they are capable of doing, said Salwei. "In the third period, they really stepped up and started playing the way Rick and I know that they can," said Salwei. We pretty much dominated all three games, we just weren't finishing. We out-shot them in all three games." The Cougars had a 26-19 shots on goal advantage Sunday. Also scoring goals for Aberdeen were Lexi Gould and Abby Taffe. Alexa Wiese finished with two assists. "The girls realized they have to keep their feet moving and make passes, and good things will come to them," Salwei said. Aberdeen improved to 7-4-1 with the win. Alumni games will Thursday in conjunction with the dedication of the Odde Ice Arena in honor of Greg and Nancy Odde. The dedication will take place at 7 p.m. Game times are 6 p.m. for the girls' alumni game, 7:30 p.m. for the boys' JV game and 8:30 p.m. for the boys' varsity game. Aberdeen Cougars 0 1 2 1-4 Sioux Falls Flyers 1 2 0 0-3 First Period: 1, Sioux Falls, Alyssa Hanisch (Melissa Haight, Jamie Tiede), 1:55. Second Period: 2, Sioux Falls, Sami Galliger, 13:08; 3, Sioux Falls, Haight, 12:23; 4, Aberdeen, Lexi Gould (Angelina Gould), :16. Third Period: 5, Aberdeen, Abby Taffe, 5:01; 6, Aberdeen, A. Gould (Alexa Wiese), 2:02. Overtime: 6, Aberdeen, A. Gould (Wiese), 9:05. Goalies: Aberdeen, Nicole Karst (19 shots, 16 saves); Sioux Falls, Brittany Salisbury (26 shots, 22 saves).